East County Observer 11.26.20

E A ST COUNTY Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 23, NO. 3

•

FREE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

YOUR TOWN

Administrator’s job in peril

Manatee commissioners set Jan. 6 as the date they will decide whether to terminate Cheri Coryea’s contract. PAGE 5

Quitting cold turkey

Courtesy photo

Artistic turkey takes flight Students at Kids R Kids were busy Nov. 16 and 17 getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving by making different turkey projects.

While some students made turkeys by painting the body and using fabric for the feathers, Hailey Brown had a different plan.

Brown used paper, popsicle sticks and glitter to disguise her turkey as a colorful butterfly.

Turkey isn’t always the featured item on the Thanksgiving menu for these East County families.

SEE PAGE 10

File photo

Help us light up the night!

There are few things that can lift a mood better than thousands of twinkling lights shining through the night like a beacon of hope and happiness.

So this year, the Observer is putting together an online holiday lights map to help you navigate to the bright spots in your neighborhood — but we could use your help.

If you see any dazzling displays worthy of notice, please share them with us at YourObserver.com/ Holiday-Lights.

We will be adding locations through Dec. 18, so check it out online to organize your own tour of lights, and share it with others. It might be just the thing to make us all feel a little brighter.

Courtesy photo

Country Club East’s Heather Hackett eats only plant-based meals, so turkey is out. Other East County families are taking a similar route.

Teacher shortages soar

A+E

Virtual play shines.

SEE PAGE 19

File photo

Science and math teachers are some of the most difficult positions to fill at schools. Braden River Middle School science teacher Jennifer Hall comes up with creative projects for her students.

Fate of USF’s College of Education could disrupt recruitment for the School District of Manatee County.

SEE PAGE 3

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Sauer said students being in different learning modalities this year does not impact the number of available spots at a school.

“One thing parents have to know is just because a student is in e-learning, they still belong to that school,” he said. “If a school has 1,000 students, and 250 are e-learning, it’s not, ‘Well, they have room because 250 students aren’t there.’ When the pandemic ends, those students will come back.”

Although the district has not yet determined which schools will be open to choice during the upcoming 2021-22 school year, families can expect more schools to be open as a result of the district choosing to redistrict elementary schools last year and the construction of additions at some schools.

For example, Gene Witt Elementary School has been closed for choice for at least four years, but with a new addition being built at the school, Sauer expects the school can open for choice.

Redistricting opened spots at Freedom, Gilbert W. McNeal and Robert E. Willis elementary schools.

B.D. Gullett Elementary School and Lakewood Ranch High School are expected to be closed to choice due to the schools being over capacity.

Sauer said transportation for students who participate in school choice will only be available if the choice school is in the same cluster as the zoned school.

For example, if a child is zoned for Gene Witt Elementary, the student can choose to go to Freedom, Williams and Gullett and still receive transportation from the district.

TIME TO CHOOSE

SCHOOL CHOICE OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2021-22 When: Dec. 1 through Jan. 15 Where: FOCUS portal Information: Office of Student Assignment at 708-4971, or email StudentAssignment@ ManateeSchools.net Details: Open enrollment is the only time families can request that their student attend a different public school without reason.

Approval of applications is subject to class size allocation capacities, and transportation is subject to availability.

because choice is not available to those students.

After Jan. 15, families will be required to apply for hardship, which means the family must provide a reason why they want to switch schools.

Don Sauer, the supervisor of the district’s Office of Student Demographics, Projects and Assignment, said the district expanded the enrollment period by two weeks in case some schools want to host their own open houses or campus tours if the district decides to allow visitors into school.

“There’s been no exact word on when and how they can do it,” Sauer said.

If schools don’t have open houses or tours available, families can find out more about the schools and programs by reaching out to the school’s administrators or visiting the school’s website.

File photo

Laura Campbell, the principal at Tara Elementary School, works with student Averyanna Rivera on constructing a tower. Tara is open for school choice, which begins Dec. 1.

School choice enrollment opens Families in the School District of Manatee County will have more time to decide whether they want to participate in school choice.

are able to see what different schools within the county have to offer, because social distancing wouldn’t be possible.

From Dec. 1 through Jan. 15, families with students in kindergarten through 10th grade will have the opportunity to enroll in school choice without providing a reason for the school selection. Parents of rising juniors and seniors must apply for hardship to attend a different school

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Families have had to make dozens of crucial decisions this year that impact their children’s education, and there are more to come as the School District of Manatee County’s school choice open enrollment begins.

Unlike past years, the district won’t be able to host its Showcase of Schools, where families

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

School District loses key connection USF, which considers discontinuing its College of Education, provided the district with more than 15% of its hires each year.

BY THE NUMBERS

2,918

Number of teachers currently in the School District of Manatee County

76

Number of currently unfilled teaching positions

22

Number of unfilled teaching positions a year ago

$45,706 Salary of a first-year teacher

$5,202

Amount from referendum supplement that goes toward each salary

250

Number of teachers the district hires annually

15%

Percentage of teachers hired from the University of South Florida’s undergraduate teacher preparation program annually

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

W

hen Wendy Mungillo was a principal interviewing applicants for a teaching position and saw a University of South Florida graduate in the mix, she knew the applicant would get an interview.

“I knew what kind of education they had. It was top notch,” said Mungillo, who is now the director of personnel for the School District of Manatee County. “I knew they would come to us already with a reading endorsement and all they would need to begin teaching.”

Each year, the school district hires about 250 teachers, and of those hired, approximately 15% come from the University of South Florida, but now the district might need to find other ways to bring new teachers into the district.

USF is contemplating the future of its College of Education after the university had to make budget cuts due to an expected loss in funding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although no final decisions have been made regarding the College of Education, university officials said they intend to “continue offering carefully selected undergraduate degrees in education, though likely fewer than the nine baccalaureate degrees, 15 majors, five minors and 18 concentrations currently available,” according to a statement from university officials.

The College of Education has seen a 63% drop in undergraduate enrollment over the past decade.

“Not having that avenue to pursue a degree in education is going to make it even more difficult for us to encourage people to go into education and have a place to go locally,” said Pat Barber, the president of the Manatee Education Association.

The university is working with school districts in the Tampa Bay region to review the demand in K-12 schools for graduates of the college’s undergraduate programs.

USF’s potential changes to its College of Education could exacerbate the teacher shortage in the Tampa Bay region because the university partners with local school districts, including the School District of Manatee County, to provide jobs for its graduates.

Last year, the school district implemented a hiring program in partnership with USF SarasotaManatee that would guarantee elementary education students at USFSM a job in Manatee County schools if they choose to sign a contract with the district.

Mungillo said at the end of last semester the district hired between nine and 11 students through the program as substitutes after graduation, and once their degrees are conferred by the state, they can become full-time teachers.

Mungillo said without the partnership with USF, the district will have to look at other ways of recruiting, such as finding people

File photos

USF has several connections to Manatee County schools including Dr. Mona Jain, who received a doctorate from USF. Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, however, went to UCF and Nova Southeastern.

Justin Pelletier, a former University of South FloridaSarasota Manatee student, worked with teachers and students at Freedom Elementary as part of his education at USFSM.

AVERAGE SALARIES BASED OFF 2019-2020 State: $49,269 Manatee: $49,739 Sarasota: $59,215 Hillsborough: $52,260 Pinellas: $50,542 Polk: $46,528 Hardee: $46,072 Desoto: $45,832 Charlotte: $51,025 Source: Florida Department of Education

who are interested in teaching as a second career or looking at students who are graduating with a degree that’s not from a college of education.

Barber agreed the district needs a robust recruiting program. He said that the district hires not only a lot of graduates but also people who have retired from other states.

“We have to exercise any options we have to recruit either incoming teachers or people who have been successful in other places,” he said.

Other universities and smaller colleges, such as the State College of Florida’s early childhood education bachelor’s degree program, could start taking in the students who want to pursue a career in education.

The district has signed up to provide a platform for teachers and other employees to get student loan forgiveness, which Mungillo hopes will draw new teachers to the district.

The pandemic has caused the district to reevaluate the way it conducts its job fairs. Unlike past years, the district cannot have inperson job fairs, so the fairs are conducted virtually, which has been a silver lining because now the district can reach applicants from across the country rather than only those who can attend in person, Mungillo said.

The pandemic has caused the district to have more unfilled

teacher positions this year compared to the past. The district currently has 76 unfilled positions compared to 22 around the same time last year.

Some teachers have decided to retire early, take a leave of absence or leave the profession due to the uncertainty of how education would be provided safely and successfully during the pandemic and health reasons.

“It definitely has been difficult, especially when we’re moving out of these different modalities or moving out of brick-and-mortar to e-learning and back and forth, Mungillo said. “E-learning is difficult. It’s a lot to manage for teachers, and it’s burning them out a lot quicker than if they were in brick and mortar.”

Mungillo and Barber are hopeful some of those teachers will return once the pandemic ends.

Mungillo said the district is working with teachers on an individual basis because everyone’s situation and reason for leaving is different.

The district is currently in a hiring freeze as it waits to hear funding projections from the state.

Although the teacher shortage has become more prevalent this year due to COVID-19, the shortage has been a national issue for several years.

Barber attributes the short-

age to the state focusing on assessments rather than giving teachers the authority to run their classrooms.

“Our working conditions and our professionalism has been eroded, so that’s made our profession a lot less attractive to people,” Barber said. “The focus on assessments is far-reaching. It causes so many issues with the teacher’s ability to teach in the classroom because everything is controlled from outside. Every textbook is focused on state standards. All the curriculum is on state standards.

It’s totally narrowed. It limits the ability for the teacher to be creative in the classroom because it’s almost like micromanagement from Tallahassee and all the way down the line.”

On top of that, Barber said the state is not providing sufficient funding for education.

“What we all need to do is focus on increasing our salaries so we can compete,” she said.

In June, Florida lawmakers approved the allocation of $500 million to raise teacher pay and make a teacher’s starting salary $47,500.

The district is still working with the Manatee Education Association to reach an agreement on the salary increases for starting teachers and veteran teachers.

3

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Jay Heater

Dom DiMaio, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, presents the Community Champion-Company award to Willis Smith executives David Otterness, Brett Raymaker and Taylor Aultman.

Nonprofit appeals commission’s decision to allow car lot

A group of residents who live near the site of a proposed Cox Chevrolet dealership at the northwest corner of 117th Street East and State Road 64 near Lakewood Ranch have formed a nonprofit and filed an appeal against Manatee County because of the commissioners’ Oct. 22 decision to rezone the property and pave the way for construction of the dealership.

The nonprofit is a 501(c)3 called Save Gates Creek and Its Neighborhoods. It filed an appeal through attorney Robert Lincoln on Nov. 19. The appeal will be heard as a circuit civil case by

Judge Charles Sniffen at a time still to be determined.

“As there are many people who are part of this and who are impacted by what is going on, a nonprofit has been formed to properly represent all these people,” said Walter Wulczak, a representative of Save Gates Creek and Its Neighborhoods.

Wulczak said anyone who wants further information on Save Gates Creek and its Neighborhoods can contact him at SaveGatesCreek@gmail.com.

Willis Smith lands Sandies awards Peggy Kronus, the chair of the Sisterhood for Good fundraising committee who is at the fore-

front of many of Willis Smith’s charitable efforts, was named the Community Champion individual award winner at the Nov. 18 Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s annual Sandies Awards.

The event, scaled back from previous years and molded into a virtual program, gave out five awards in all.

Besides having Kronus take one of the awards, Willis Smith Construction was named the Community Champion company award winner.

Alex Gault, of the Otto Group at Hightower Advisors, took the Rising Star Award. The Circus Arts Conservatory earned the Bull by the Horns award for an organization with fewer than 25 employees and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County won the award for an organization with more than 25 employees.

Area home sales continue to rise Area home sales continue to rise.

Data compiled by the Florida Realtors shows that home sales continue to soar in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

A Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee release showed October sales are up 34% over a year ago during the same month.

“This extremely strong market does not appear to be ending anytime soon, as new pending sales are up by a combined 39.5% compared to last year in October,” said David Clapp, the president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, in a release.

Single-family closed sales increased by 48.4% to 766 sales

in Manatee and by 30.1% to 929 sales in Sarasota over October 2019. Condo sales rose in October with a 39% increase to 292 sales in Manatee and a 29% increase to 423 sales in Sarasota over the same period a year ago.

Homes also are selling faster.

In October, the median time from listing date to contract date decreased across the two-county area according to the release.

Single-family homes have an average time of 18 days on the market in Manatee (58.1% faster than October) and 21 days in Sarasota (21 days faster).

Vitale lands huge donation for The V Foundation Lakewood Ranch’s Dick and Lorraine Vitale announced Nov. 17 in a release that they had received a $2 million donation for the The V Foundation for Cancer Research from Mark and Cindy Pentecost and The Pentecost Foundation.

The check is a result of a matching challenge that leveraged the Pentecosts’ donation to raise an additional $3 million for a total combined result of $5 million.

The V Foundation is one of the nation’s leading cancer research funding organizations.

Dick Vitale has held an annual gala in Sarasota for the past 15 years and has raised more than $37 million to date for cancer research.

For information about the Annual Gala or to make a donation, please contact Mary Kenealy Events at 350-0580 or donate at v.org/donate4kids.

EAST COUNTY

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Commissioners clash Citing a need for fiscal conservatism, four commissioners move to vote on Administrator Cheri Coryea’s contract.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

C

alling for a “new direction in county government,” new commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge, George Kruse and James Satcher, along with Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, put into motion a process that could end with the termination of Administrator Cheri Coryea.

During a contentious meeting Nov. 19, a motion to give at least 15 days before holding a vote to terminate Coryea was passed 4-3.

Commissioners Carol Whitmore, Misty Servia and Reggie Bellamy cast the dissenting votes.

An ensuing motion to hold a special meeting Jan. 6 with the single item to discuss and vote on the termination of Coryea’s contract then passed unanimously.

Commissioners agreed it was best to wait on the decision until after the holidays.

The motion was raised by Van Ostenbridge, who said he has a different vision for the county and added that he wants a culture shift to run the government more like part of the private sector, as opposed to Coryea, whom he called a “public sector person.”

Van Ostenbridge said he disagreed with the direction Coryea was steering the commission, citing the $32.5 million purchase the commissioners passed 4-3 in October for 161 acres at the corner of Lena Road and State Road 64 as a specific example. Satcher and Baugh both agreed the purchase was a mistake, with Baugh calling county Utilities Director Mike Gore unqualified to lead the negotiations for the land. “[The past election] was a very strong vote for conservatives by the voters of Manatee County,” Baugh said. “They’ve made it very clear how they feel, how they stand and what they want to see in their government. And I think it’s our responsibility to make sure we follow through.”

“We want to watch taxpayer money like a hawk,” Satcher added. “I think we want to be very deliberate when we spend taxpayer funds.”

Whitmore was angry with the motion and said the new commissioners had been called by a developer who didn’t want Coryea as administrator. She said she also was called by the developer, whom she didn’t name.

“I will ask that the entire public that doesn’t support the fiasco that happened today, please come to the meeting,” Whitmore said.

Dissenting commissioners said Coryea was only doing what the previous board directed her to do.

They said she therefore should not be held responsible for the previous board’s decisions.

The dissenting commissioners also felt the motion was raised too quickly into the new board’s term, saying the new commissioners didn’t give Coryea a chance to work with them and that the quickness of the move would send a message to county employees and partners working with or for Manatee County that its government is too volatile.

“There are employees crying right now because of what you’ve just done,” Whitmore said to Van Ostenbridge. “And maybe you don’t care, but you should. You’re a good kid. I know you are. I’m sorry, you’re a good man. I just really am upset. Because I said: ‘No, he’s a fair person. He’s from here. He’ll listen to everybody.’”

“It’s a very difficult decision,” Van Ostenbridge replied. “It can be emotional for people. But you cannot run a $1.5 billion business based on feelings and emotion.

Unfortunately, it has to be run pragmatically as a business.”

Baugh declined to comment when asked after the meeting if more personnel changes could be considered.

Servia noted Van Ostenbridge had only been in office for about 50 hours. Whitmore said she knows this is a premeditated move to replace Coryea, while Bellamy wondered the same without claiming it to be certain.

“I think everybody needs to take a breath,” Baugh responded.

“There’s been a lot of accusations made here today. I don’t believe it is fair to make accusations to the

Brendan Lavell

new commissioners who have been working for over a year to get elected. They might know a little bit more than you think.”

Baugh said she will have a conversation with Coryea and that her vote is not set in stone, but she said the closing date on the Lena Road purchase was rushed, and Baugh feels that falls on Coryea as the leader of the county staff.

Kruse said he doesn’t make rash decisions, adding he likely would have voted not to terminate Coryea’s contract if required to make a choice on the spot. He also urged anyone who works with Coryea to reach out to him, so he can make an educated decision.

“I encourage everyone on this board, regardless of what side you’re on, to take this as one of the most serious decisions you’ll have to make,” Kruse said. “Because it does have bigger implications across the entire county and the government.”

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who raised the motion, says he has a different vision for the county and added that he wants a culture shift to run the government more like part of the private sector.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Multifamily units planned for Legacy “The reason SchroederManatee is very supportive of it is we have seen in the past that this golf course had some problems.”

Manatee County Planning Commission recommends approval of a plan to develop 48 multifamily units

by Legacy Golf Club.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

— Caleb Grimes, SMR attorney

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch received unanimous approval from the Manatee County Planning Commission on Thursday to make several changes to its development plan in University Lakes, one of which is the addition of 48 multifamily residential units on 5 acres of a 15.1-acre parcel of land owned by Legacy Golf Club.

Final approval will be considered by the County Commission at a Dec. 10 land use meeting.

Other modifications approved by the Planning Commission include the addition a 16-acre parcel of land at the southeast corner of Lorraine Road and The Masters Avenue to University Lakes’ development of regional impact plan and subsequent rezone from general agriculture to mixed use, the addition of 300 hotel rooms and 100,000 square feet of business commercial land at the northeast corner of I-75 and University Parkway, and plans to add 187 multifamily units at the eastern end of The Masters Avenue adjacent to Bourneside Boulevard.

The land that Legacy Golf Club wants to develop for 48 town-

as an anchor on the asset.”

A few dozen Country Club residents, however, showed up to Thursday’s meeting to voice their opposition to the development. The main concern raised was traffic.

Jordan Shifrin, a retired lawyer and resident of Canterbury in the Country Club, said he represented many of his neighbors. He said traffic by the property backs up to University Parkway every morning between 8-9 a.m. and every evening between 3-6 p.m. with residents, golfers, service providers and landscapers.

“It really is not a place to do a redevelopment and stick townhouses in there,” Shifrin said.

“That was never the intention of the master plan. And it’s just not compatible with our community.”

Some residents worried that Legacy and SMR would eventually come back and ask to develop the rest of the parcel, including the wetlands. However, a stipulation was added to ensure SMR and Legacy build on only 5 of the 15.1 acres on the parcel. Grimes

Brendan Lavell

Country Club resident Toni Ambrosio says she is worried the value of her home will decrease if townhomes are built by Legacy Golf Course.

house or condominium units, expected to be bought largely by people who want to be members of the golf club, is south of the club’s driving range and north of the wetlands at the corner of University and Legacy Boulevard.

Legacy Golf Club part-owner Jon Whittemore would like to develop the land to create supplemental income for the golf course.

Whittemore and Kevin Paschall bought the club in November 2015. The seller, ClubCorp, had reluctantly bought Legacy in a package including six other clubs and neglected it to the verge of insolvency, Whittemore said.

“The reason Schroeder-Manatee is very supportive of it is we have seen in the past that this golf course had some problems,”

SMR attorney Caleb Grimes said.

“It was not well cared for. It was becoming an eyesore. It was a little bit of an embarrassment to Lakewood Ranch.”

Since then, Whittemore and Paschall have renovated the course’s greens, bunkers, landscape, interior and more. Whittemore said the club is now in a safer place financially, but large expenses are on the horizon. For example, the irrigation system is nearing the end of its life span. He estimated it will cost about $1.4 million to replace.

“I’ll admit we are not developers,” Whittemore said. “We are golf guys. But we do recognize there’s an opportunity to assure that the debt we added to the property does not end up serving

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and Whittemore both said the wetlands would be completely preserved.

Others, such as Quail Creek (in Country Club) resident Toni Ambrosio, are worried about the value of their homes. Among other things, Ambrosio is concerned the view from her lanai, one of the key features of her property, will no longer be an attraction if the 48 units are built.

“The homes that are facing the golf course in Quail Creek were promised that no one would be able to build because that area is a preserve, and no one can touch a preserve,” Ambrosio said. “We were very happy with that, so we decided to invest the additional money, a very high premium, so that we would have this kind of privacy when we built our home.”

Some residents worried about the development’s effect on the aesthetic beauty of the entrance to the community. Grimes said the development will not be visible until after visitors have entered the community and passed the wetlands.

Grimes and Whittemore said the development will ensure the stability of Legacy Golf Club. “[SMR is] a very big stickler on what goes into Lakewood Ranch,” Grimes said. “These units will give [Legacy] the ability to generate some outside income to put into the golf course and continue to make sure it’s the course everybody wants in LWR.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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EAST COUNTY

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Triumph of a noble cause On the 400th anniversary of the Puritans settling in the New World, the story of the repatriation of Williams Bradford’s history of Plymouth Colony is a vivid reminder of why our nation exists.

MATT WALSH

H

ere’s a likely picture in millions of homes across this Great Land on this Thanksgiving

2020: Smaller than usual numbers are gathered around the festive table. The tone and atmosphere are less jolly than previous years — muted, almost somber.

It has been a tough year.

When the Thanksgiving blessing begins, heads bowed, there is likely to be gratitude — deep, sincere gratitude for the blessings, however great or small, that the good Lord has bestowed on the family members present and afar.

We can also be sure that in these prayers there will be many pleadings to the Almighty that he look with favor on our nation and bring peace, understanding, tolerance, protection, healing, good health and love of neighbor and country during this time of strife, division and fear.

When the blessing ends, and after a heartfelt toast, someone probably will announce: “Let’s not spoil our Thanksgiving dinner with any talk of politics.”

Hear, hear. Let’s not.

Instead, we want to tell a different story, one that is seldom told, if ever. It is not the story of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock — that extraordinary story of 102 courageous Puritans aboard the Mayflower falling to their knees when they stepped on land and their settling at New Plymouth 400 years ago. Yes, 400 years ago!

With remarkably little fanfare, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims laying the bedrock foundation for what would become the U.S. Nor is the story we’re about to tell that of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians coming together in 1621 in peace and thanking the Almighty for a bountiful harvest at that first Thanksgiving celebration.

MOST PRECIOUS MANUSCRIPT

The story we’re about to tell occurred 276 years after that first Thanksgiving — on April 29, 1897. On that day in Boston, Thomas Bayard, the U.S. ambassador at the Court of St. James in London, handed over to the governor of Massachusetts, Roger Wolcott, a manuscript that one of the dignitaries present at the ceremony described as “the most precious manuscript on Earth, unless we could recover one of the four gospels as it came in the beginning from the pen of the Evangelist.”

Bayard had traveled from London to Boston carrying the

original 270-page manuscript of Gov. William Bradford, one of the leaders on the Mayflower and longest serving governor of Plymouth Colony. The manuscript was Bradford’s firsthand account and history of our nation’s first settlers.

Entitled “Of Plimouth Plantation,” Bradford chronicled in vivid detail life among these separatists from the time they fled religious persecution in England and Holland; to the creation of the Mayflower Compact, the document that served as their constitution and later as a foundation for our existing Constitution; through a period of discovering how self-interest in property ownership saved them from starvation; to the signing of treaties with Native American tribes. In all, his manuscript covered nearly 30 years — from 1620 to 1647.

Bradford’s manuscript is the only authentic, comprehensive, firsthand account of the real birth of this nation.

On that April day in 1897, when Bayard delivered the manuscript to Wolcott at a ceremony of dignitaries from England and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S. Sen. George Hoar of Massachusetts delivered a 4,000-word speech, explaining the complicated route of Bradford’s manuscript coming home to its roots in Massachusetts.

LOST FOR 90 YEARS

Historians for nearly 90 years believed Bradford’s manuscript was lost — last seen in 1767 in the hands of the last British governor of Massachusetts. But in 1855, when an American historian was in England doing research for a book on the history of Massachusetts, he came across a copy of Bradford’s manuscript in a London bookstore.

As Hoar explained, the historian contacted a noted British historian to help him find the whereabouts of Bradford’s original manuscript. The Brit began his own search and eventually discovered Bradford’s manuscript had been stored all these years in the Bishops of London Library at Fulham Palace, the residence of British bishops.

Over the next four decades, American and Massachusetts officials made several attempts to have Bradford’s manuscript returned to its origin. But the Brits refused, saying it required an act of Parliament and Queen Victoria.

Hoar himself spent months in 1895 pursuing the manuscript’s release. Finally, he won an audience with the Bishop of London, who agreed with Hoar that Bradford’s manuscript belonged in the U.S. But he told Hoar: “I think I ought to consult the archbishop of Canterbury.

I think I ought to speak to the queen about it. We should not do such a thing behind Her Majesty’s back.”

Hoar returned to Massachusetts to tell the governor, other state officials and officers of historical societies of his success, urging them to send letters to the bishop of London in support of

the manuscript’s return.

Time passed, during which the bishop of London whom Hoar befriended became archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop then advised Hoar and Bayard that a formal petition for the manuscript be presented to the Episcopal Consistorial Court of London.

On March 25, 1897, the court issued a decree, published in the London Times, ordering the manuscript be returned to Massachusetts.

OF PERIL AND TRIUMPH

As Hoar concluded his speech describing the efforts to bring Bradford’s manuscript back to Massachusetts, he put into perspective the importance of Bradford’s manuscript: “Wherever it shall go, it will be an object of reverent care. I do not think many Americans will gaze upon it without a little trembling of the lips and a little gathering of mist in the eyes, as they think of the story of suffering, of sorrow, of peril, of exile, of death and of lofty triumph which that book tells, which the hand of the great leader and founder of America has traced on those pages.

“There is nothing like it in human annals since the story of Bethlehem. These Englishmen and Englishwomen going out from their homes in beautiful Lincoln and York, wife separated from husband and mother from child in that hurried embarkation for Holland, pursued to the beach by English horsemen; the 13 years of exile; the life at Amsterdam ‘in alley foul and lane obscure’; the dwelling at Leyden; the embarkation at Delfthaven; the farewell of Robinson; the terrible voyage across the Atlantic; the compact in the harbor; the landing on the rock; the dreadful first winter; the death roll of more than half the number; the days of suffering and of famine; the wakeful night, listening for the yell of wild beast and the war-whoop of the savage; the building of the state on those sure foundations which no wave or tempest has ever shaken; the breaking of the new light; the dawning of the new day; the beginning of the new life; the enjoyment of peace with liberty. …

“Of all these things, this is the original record by the hand of our beloved father and founder.

Massachusetts will preserve it until the time shall come that her children are unworthy of it; and that time shall come — never.”

To underscore the significance of Bradford’s original manuscript returning to its rightful home, Wolcott followed Hoar with his interpretation of this historic event, equally profound: “On the sloping hillside of Plymouth, that bathes its feet in the waters of the Atlantic, such a voice is breathed by the brooding genius of the place, and the ear must be dull that fails to catch the whispered words. For here not alone did godly men and women suffer greatly for a great cause, but their noble purpose was not doomed to defeat but

was carried to perfect victory.

“They established what they planned. Their feeble plantation became the birthplace of religious liberty, the cradle of a free commonwealth.

“To them a mighty nation owes its debt. Nay, they have made the civilized world their debtor. In the varied tapestry which pictures our national life, the richest spots are those where gleam the golden threads of conscience, courage and faith, set in the web by that little band. May God in his mercy grant that the moral impulse which founded this nation may never cease to control its destiny, that no act of any future generation may put in peril the fundamental principles on which it is based: of equal rights in a free state, equal privileges in a free church and equal opportunities in a free school.

“In this precious volume which I hold in my hands — the gift of England to the commonwealth of Massachusetts — is told the noble, simple story ‘Of Plimoth Plantation.’

“In the midst of suffering and privation and anxiety the pious hand of William Bradford here set down in ample detail the history of the enterprise from its inception to the year 1647.

From him we may learn ‘that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courages.’

“The sadness and pathos which some might read into the narrative are to me lost in victory. The triumph of a noble cause even at a great price is theme for rejoicing, not for sorrow, and the story here told is one of triumphant achievement, and not of defeat.

PRICELESS GIFT

“As the official representative of the commonwealth, I receive it, sir, at your hands. I pledge the faith of the commonwealth that for all time it shall be guarded in accordance with the terms of the decree under which it is delivered into her possession as one of her chiefest treasures.

“I express the thanks of the commonwealth for the priceless gift. And I venture the prophecy that for countless years to come and to untold thousands these mute pages shall eloquently speak of high resolve, great suffering and heroic endurance made possible by an absolute faith in the over-ruling providence of Almighty God.” A truly magnificent story.

While we give thanks for all our blessings on this Thanksgiving Day 2020, the story of the recovery of William Bradford’s manuscript gives greater meaning to this special day. It affirms forever the bedrock of our nation’s founding — that of the birthplace of religious liberty, a free people and our faith in God. God bless America.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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JAY HEATER

Little Leaguers dodge COVID-19 fastball

S

ome of the saddest moments of my childhood came on rainy days.

It was because I couldn’t play baseball.

I loved baseball so much that I would put on my scratchy, wool uniform — stirrups and all — hours before my Little League team was scheduled to take the diamond in Otisville, N.Y. The field was surrounded on all sides by corn stalks, and the outfield fence held five or six advertising signs. We all dreamed of hitting the Krogslund Motors sign in center because it was rumored we would get $50 if we did.

It was my Yankee Stadium.

So even if it was pouring, I was going to be ready. God wouldn’t — couldn’t — take away my chance to hit the Krogslund Motors sign.

I would sit with my grandmother in front of our picture window, staring at the little circles each drop of rain would make in the puddles.

“It looks like it is clearing up,” she would say as the proverbial buckets of rain were turning everything into a muddy goo pit.

She knew how much it meant to me.

Gosh, I loved baseball.

So when I went out to the Lakewood Ranch Little League fields Nov. 20, I saw a couple hundred kids who probably love baseball every bit as much as I do, or at least did. They were

Jay Heater

Catcher Kayden West and pitcher Mason Plese were two all-stars honored by the Lakewood Ranch Little League after its fall season.

playing the final games of their fall season, one that began in October in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fall season? Wow! These kids are lucky. We had a window of about three months each year to play baseball, and that was it.

Here in Florida, they play two seasons.

At least in a normal year they

play two seasons. When we look back, 2020 is not going to be a normal year.

I had to worry about rain in my day, but these kids are going to tell their grandchildren about the pandemic of 2020. It wiped out their all-star tournaments and the end of their spring season.

Little League Baseball came to a halt in East County on Feb. 27.

Douglas Kovatch, the president of the Lakewood Ranch Little League, knows how tough that is.

“We lost the all-star season,” he said. “It is what every Little League player looks forward to.

They can never have that back.”

Fortunately, by September, the league was going to play with restrictions. Only two fields of the complex would be used, and only one parent per child (no brothers or sisters either) could attend games. Parents could not attend practice. Things eventually went back to normal Oct. 15.

Kovatch looked around him as the action was set to begin Nov. 20. The players were on the fields or warming up. Parents were out in full force, and their nonplaying children were using the space between the fields as one big playground.

Two kids buzzed past Kovatch, who took a quick step backward to get out of the way. He was wearing a big smile.

He missed dodging kids as he goes about his business running the league. It’s natural.

COVID-19 is not natural, and Kovatch knows it. He knew Lakewood Ranch Little League had to present a safe environment if a fall season was going to be played.

“We had one team on quarantine for two weeks,” he said.

“That was it for the season.

Before we went back to normal on Oct. 15, I was the jerk who

had to tell parents they couldn’t watch their kids.”

Denise West’s 12-year-old son, Kayden, plays in the intermediate league. She held her breath a bit during the fall season.

“I am so happy the kids are back in sports,” she said. “The kids need to be out here.”

Was she worried?

“For the most part, people practiced social distancing,” she said. “I was cautiously optimistic.”

Most parents felt the same way. Last year the fall league had 325 players. This year it had just more than 300.

Now the fall season now is a wrap, and Kovatch already is looking forward to the next season opener Feb. 27. He knows COVID-19 is spiking in many places around the country, but like West, he is cautiously optimistic that baseball will be back.

Until then, we’ll all be staring out our picture window, hoping the storm blows over.

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Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver. com.

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n Thanksgiving, the celebratory photo usually consists of a family gathering around a table that showcases mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and, most importantly, turkey.

But for some East County families, like Central Park’s Marcia Lichtenstein, turkey is not in the picture.

For the past 47 years, Lichtenstein has not eaten meat, so she tries new vegan recipes every Thanksgiving.

With an endless number of websites, cookbooks and Pinterest and Facebook posts and groups, Lichtenstein never has to worry about finding new recipes to try.

“When I see a recipe I like, I make it, and if it’s something that I can bring with me for the holiday, I do that,” Lichtenstein said.

This year’s menu will include mushroom Wellington alongside vegan stuffing, mashed cauliflower, vegan biscuits and possibly a vegan cake for dessert. Last year it was one of her favorite’s — Portobello vegan beef(less) stew.

Country Club East’s Heather Hackett and her fiance, Ken Kaufman, only eat plant-based meals. This year will be their first not having a traditional Thanksgiving meal but doing a plantbased meal instead.

Kaufman transitioned from a keto diet to being plant-based a year ago while Hackett has always preferred a plant-based diet.

A week before Thanksgiving, Hackett had not yet determined what would be on the menu for her and Kaufman, but she knew her nana’s nut bread was a musthave. The nut bread includes

Courtesy photo

apricots, cranberries, raisins and walnuts.

“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Nana’s nut bread is the bomb, like it is crazy good,” Hackett said.

“It’s just awesome. As soon as you have it, it’s phenomenal.”

Although some people choose not to eat turkey as a lifestyle choice, others simply don’t like the taste of it.

Mill Creek’s Stephanie Morton and her family aren’t fans of turkey because it’s too dry, so they opt for a ham every year.

“I guess [ham] is an easy one because a lot of them come precooked where you can’t really mess it up or get anyone sick, so I think that’s why we went with ham,” Morton said with a laugh.

Myakka City’s Dolly Johnson will be celebrating Thanksgiving with her husband, Gary, and her two dogs this year while her eight children visit in-laws and other family members.

The couple is keeping it simple

Central Park’s Marcia Lichtenstein uses cookbooks, websites, Pinterest and Facebook to find various vegan recipes for Thanksgiving.

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with steak, baked potatoes and salad. In past years, the Johnsons have had ham or ordered dinner through Publix.

“I’m a two-time breast cancer survivor, so a lot of it depends on how I’m feeling,” Johnson said.

“Because of going through that and having ongoing side effects, I don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.”

Although the families have alternative foods in mind, other people enjoying the holiday with them might have turkey.

Morton’s mother, Sue Konstant, is the only one in the family that likes turkey, so they make her a “token turkey” each year, and Konstant takes home any leftovers.

Parrish’s Maggie Segneri and her family will be having steak this year, but a part of a turkey will be available: turkey hearts.

Segneri said her husband’s family is Pennsylvania Dutch and that turkey hearts are part of a Thanksgiving tradition.

Although the Segneris won’t be able to visit family or have family visit this year, Segneri is keeping the tradition alive by making turkey hearts by herself for the first time.

Morton, Lichtenstein, Hackett and Johnson all agreed that not having a turkey for Thanksgiving reduces their stress because they don’t have to worry about being able to find all the ingredients they need for their meals.

“It’s like the infamous getting Chinese food on Christmas,” Hackett said. “You don’t have to worry about it. We can save a boatload of money and get the greatest, freshest, most organic vegetables.”

No matter the meal, families are looking forward to simply being together on the holiday.

“Thanksgiving is my favorite because it’s not revolving around gifts,” Hackett said. “You don’t have to do anything on Thanksgiving. You just have to cook, which is kind of what I do for a living, so I like that part. It’s not based on gifts. There’s no drama.

It’s getting together, eating a meal and being grateful.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Side dish of gratitude For Thanksgiving, East County residents share what they’re thankful for during a trying year.

“I’m thankful my family that lives in Europe is happy and healthy.

What is there to not be thankful for? I still get to bike and do charity work. All the things that should make you happy: exercise and giving back to the community.”

— Sandra Mickelson

Jay Heater

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lthough 2020 has presented the opportunity to focus on hardships when we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, many East County residents will choose to remember the good things that have happened during a rocky year.

Take, for example, East County’s Graham Ellis, a member of Braden River VFW Post 12055.

With everything that has happened, he said area residents continue to show their compassion for others.

“I am amazed and thankful for the generosity of the people of Manatee County,” Ellis said. “On behalf of the veterans, we just did a Buddy Poppy event where you give out a poppy when somebody gives a donation. We did very well in six hours.”

Other East County residents have plenty of reasons to be thankful. Here are some of their responses.

“I’m thankful for family and health. Taking a year of absence as a teacher has made me realize we took a lot for granted, and we sometimes go on autopilot. It’s great to stop and cherish the moments and memories we have together.”

— Ashley Hayes

“I’m grateful for my family because I’m been living away from them for a while.

I was in the Air Force for 20 years and just retired in September.”

— Andrew Kalavanos

“I’m thankful for beautiful weather, fresh air, the ability to eat outside and my beautiful family.”

— Janet Dobbs

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TRIBUTES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

13

We Serve All Families

Andrew David Babcock 1968-2020

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Our firms will serve your family with all precautions, CDC guidelines, and compassionate care.

Andrew David Babcock, born May 24, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana, beloved son, brother, and friend passed away on November 9, 2020 at his home in Sarasota, Florida. Andy grew up in Dallas, Texas, and Sarasota, Florida.

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We will treasure the memory of Andy smiling, joking, and laughing, on his way to his next adventure Whibbs (Vinnie); and his brother Brian Babcock (Gina); his nieces and nephews Maggie, Lucas, Vinnie, Alex, Noah, and Caroline; his step-siblings Molly, Rob, Ryan, and their spouses; his many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his many dear friends. Andy’s family would welcome your making a donation in his memory to First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee www. firstteesarasotamanatee.org. We will be planning a memorial service for Andy in the future when we can all gather together safely. We will miss you, Andy!

SERVICE: We will be planning a memorial service for Andy in the future when we can all gather together safely.

DONATIONS: Andy’s family would welcome your making a donation in his memory to First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee www.firstteesarasotamanatee.org.

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Andy was a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School (‘87) in Sarasota, and the University of West Florida (‘93). He also attended and made life-long friends at Loyola University in New Orleans and Florida State University. Andy was a long time resident of Sarasota, Florida. Andy loved adventures small and large. From study and travel in London and Europe, to the simple pleasures of hanging out with his friends, Andy’s mischievous grin always signaled fun was about to begin. Andy enjoyed fixing and making things, ranging from his first car as a teenager (a Z28), to a DIY go-kart that was a huge hit with the neighborhood kids, to other quirky fixes for his friends. Andy was a consummate sales person, and worked as a manager in Atlanta and Sarasota in financial services and consumer home products. In his free time, Andy loved golfing, spending time with friends, and fishing and boating around Sarasota Bay. We will treasure the memory of Andy smiling, joking, and laughing, on his way to his next adventure.

Andy is survived by his parents David Babcock, Susan and Phil Cook; his sister Elizabeth Babcock (Dave); his sister Jenny

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HIGH

SPORTS

5

“We just want to play hard every night and go as far as we can go. That’s it.”

— Lakewood Ranch High’s Ian Rodriguez SEE PAGE 16

Tough loss sinks Pirates

Running back Lavontae Youmans will return next season for the Pirates but QB Shawqi, Itraish is headed to Rice University.

Braden River can’t hold two-touchdown lead in playoff game.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

1

Braden River High boys soccer senior Grant Hill scored thee goals Nov. 18 in the team’s 4-3 home win against Southeast High.

2

Lakewood Ranch High senior softball player Jillian Herbst signed with Colgate University (N.Y.) on Nov. 11.

3

George Massaro sank a hole-in-one Nov. 16 on the No. 13 hole at Lakewood Ranch Golf And Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Massaro used a 5-wood on the 158-yard hole.

4

Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior Owen Speir had two goals and an assist Nov. 16 in the team’s 7-2 home win against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal.

5

Jill Hendren (three under par; 141) won the President’s Flight of the Women’s Golf Association Presidents Cup event (individual low net) Nov. 19 at Palm Aire Country Club.

A

nother year, another playoff loss to an elite team.

Braden River High once again suffered a heartbreaking defeat, this time to a 10-1 Lake Gibson High squad Nov. 20 in Lakeland.

The Pirates lost 56-49 after twice opening a 14-point lead.

Pirates Coach Curt Bradley apologized to his team, specifically his seniors, after the game. He said he didn’t coach well enough for them to win. The Pirates, most of whom were teary-eyed, then left the field together, silently marching to the locker room.

It was the third consecutive year Braden River proved it could play with a state title contender.

In 2019, the Pirates (4-7) held a 21-10 fourth-quarter lead on the road against top-seeded Palmetto High (10-1) before Palmetto rallied to win 24-21. Palmetto would eventually advance to the state semifinals.

In 2018, the Pirates (9-3) fell in a 21-0 hole on the road against Venice High (12-2) before a furious comeback attempt fell a touchdown short. They lost 28-21.

Venice, too, would advance to the state Final Four.

After the loss to Lake Gibson, Bradley expounded on his affection for this senior class, which led the Pirates to a 4-4 record.

“They gave a lot to this program,” he said. “They gave all of themselves. They put us in situa-

Photos by Ryan Kohn

tions the last two years to win, to pull out [postseason] games late.

Unfortunately, we were not able to get the job done for them.”

The Pirates will lose 23 players from this year’s team to graduation, including senior quarterback Shawqi Itraish, a Rice commit.

Also graduating are Gregory Cotton, the team’s lock down defensive back/wide receiver, and the team’s three leading tacklers linebackers — Shane Moran, Kai Fredericks and Justin Shofter — among many other contributors.

The losses will mean next year’s Braden River team will have an inexperienced look, but with talent at key positions.

Braden River returns junior running back Lavontae Youmans, who emerged as an impact player. During the regular season, he ran for 919 yards and nine touchdowns.

The only quarterback on the roster, as of now, is freshman Nick Trier. He saw limited action this season, but two of his four completions went for touchdowns.

Bradley and company will begin thinking about next season soon, but the loss to Lake Gibson will continue to sting.

For a time, it looked like the Pirates were primed to pull the upset. They took a 21-7 lead in the first half after recovering a Lake

LOOK AHEAD

Curt Bradley talks to his team after the 56-49 loss.

Gibson fumble at the 12 yard line, which quickly turned into a Youmans touchdown run. They maintained a lead throughout the first half, entering halftime up 28-21.

When the Pirates took the ball down the field with ease on the first possession of the second half, ending it with another Youmans touchdown run to go up 35-21, it seemed like it might be their night.

But after that, Lake Gibson’s defense adjusted, and its offense turned on the afterburners. Braves running back Jaylon Glover had five second-half touchdowns, most coming on inside zone plays that the Pirates could not stop.

Glover would finish the game with 295 yards and seven touchdowns.

BRADEN RIVER KEY RETURNEES IN 2021 Lavontae Youmans, junior running back: ran for 919 yards and nine touchdowns Andrew Nordland, junior linebacker: 46 tackles Craivontae Koonce, sophomore defensive back: 26 tackles

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start, and they didn’t have many opportunities to catch up. All four teams they played in the regular season were in bigger classes than them.

Despite that, they played tough, staying within 10 points in two of the four.

Those were not the only challenges, though. ODA was forced to play the postseason without injured senior quarterback Tyler Beasley, who holds a scholarship offer from Tennessee. In stepped fellow senior Patrick O’Keefe, who performed admirably in Beasley’s absence, never letting the pressure become too much.

To top it off, all of this happened in Head Coach K.B. Belton’s first season in the position.

The Thunder could have blamed plenty of things for its misfortune.

Instead of falling apart, the ODA players came together with pride alone. Then came the postseason, when something funny began to happen.

ODA started winning.

After ODA beat Ocala Christian 48-24 on Nov. 6 in the SSAC first round, Belton said he finally saw his team coming together.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Above: ODA senior Nolan Lewellen (22) dives into the end zone against Bishop Snyder.

Right: ODA Coach K.B. Belton falls to the ground after the officiating crews waives off a roughing the kicker penalty.

They were playing the way he expected before the pandemic took over.

The postseason provided the Thunder with a fresh start.

After all, no one cares what your regular-season record was.

The Thunder won again the next week against Cedar Creek Christian, 37-26, and suddenly,

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the team was in the title game, against a team of a comparable size.

Three quarters into the game, it appeared the unbelievable would become reality.

The Cardinals, though, wanted their own special ending, and they came roaring back. For ODA, it was a shock.

“We left it all out here,” Belton said. “We’re going to try to run it back next year. We’re going to get bigger, faster and stronger. We’re going to not make the mental errors we did [this season]. We’re going to keep fighting.”

Not that ODA didn’t fight every step of the way this season.

And next season, there will be no Beasley or O’Keefe. There will be no Lewellen, nor Michael Dyer, the offensive and defensive line stalwart.

Almost everyone else will be back, though. It’s possible next year’s team will be even better.

It will take a lot to beat this year’s wild ride. All the Thunder players, like Lewellen, should look fondly upon what they accomplished.

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No title but lots of heart T

he Out-of-Door Academy senior Nolan Lewellen, his team’s Swiss Army knife of a player, had tears in his eyes as he described the Thunder’s 20-19 loss to Bishop Snyder on Nov. 21 in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference Class A football championship.

The worst loss ever, he said of his team giving up a third-quarter, 19-0 lead in Lakeland.

It didn’t take long, though, for Lewellen to add something else.

He said he never will forget how his teammates battled through a season in which the likelihood of a title shot of any kind was inconceivable.

This Thunder team lost all four of its regular season games. In any other season, it might have ended there.

But during a COVID-19 pandemic season in which ODA never even played a game until Oct. 2, well after most schools began competition, the opportunity presented itself for all squads to compete in the playoffs.

Lewellen knew, losing or not, his teammates had shown heart every step of the way.

They were behind from the

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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PROSE AND KOHN

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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Join us for a Virtual Week of Beauty!

Ian Rodriguez Ian Rodriguez is a sophomore on the Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team. He led the Mustangs with 17 points Nov. 19 in the team’s 69-49 home preseason win against Sumner High.

When did you start playing basketball?

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What is your favorite movie?

I love the whole “Fast and Furious” franchise. They’re fun.

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I want to run super fast like The Flash.

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Don’t let yourself get stuck on a problem, in basketball or in life.

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Respectful.

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I love pepperoni pizza.

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If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@YourObserver.com.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Last year I was on the varsity team for a few games, but I didn’t play much. Fighting through that lack of playing time was hard.

It became a goal of mine to be a starter this season and play more. So far, so good.

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16

NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Classifieds 25 Games 24 Real Estate 21 Weather 24

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Mark Hicks, a keyholder at Norman Love Confections, shows off a dessert.

Photos by Jay Heater

The holiday light show at the Mall at UTC is open for business.

Cliff McHenry, the director of property management at Benderson Development, says more than 90 miles of light and power cables were used to create the holiday light show at UTC.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, DARK CHOCOLATE W

ith the flip of a switch late Nov. 20, Cliff McHenry saw his staff’s hard work come

342036-1

to life.

McHenry, the director of property management at Benderson Development, was standing outside the new Norman Love’s Confections at 192 N. Cattlemen Road, and he smiled as the huge artificial tree in the Cattlemen Road median came to life, along with lights all up and down the street.

“There is a 6-mile string of data cable,” he said about the displays all around the Mall at University Town Center. “There are 90 miles of light cables and power throughout the UTC area. We’ve worked hard this season.”

Animated, choreographed light

shows will play at the top and bottom of each hour with six different shows in all. He noted that people could watch the lights for two hours and not see the same display.

Flipping on the lights for the holiday season was a trial run for Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 23. The preview event also was combined with the opening of Norman Love’s Confections, which had a soft opening for business but officially opened Nov. 24.

“I’m over the moon excited,” Norman Love said. “We’ve found the perfect location. It’s a tough time to open because Christmas is our busiest time, but I think we’re ready. I can’t wait to get started.”

— JAY HEATER

Above: The Grinch, played

by Chris Cude of Legendary Knights Entertainment of Winter Haven, checks out the holiday lights with Sarasota’s Melissa Galmin.

Left: Norman Love Confections put its artistry on display.

18

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Taste of tradition

D

el Webb’s Tom Bovis had a chance to get back to his Greek roots during St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Autumn Fall Fest on Nov. 20.

Bovis and his wife, Michelle, enjoyed homemade Greek food while listening to music and seeing photos of different areas of Greece in a slideshow.

“It’s like a flashback to Mom and Dad,” Tom Bovis said.

Michelle Bovis added, “It’s like visiting a memory seeing all the pictures of places we’ve been in Greece.”

The St. Barbara Philoptochos, a women’s philanthropic organization, hosted the Autumn Fall Fest to raise money for food banks in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Members of St. Barbara Philoptochos served traditional Greek foods including pastitsio, roast Grecian chicken and oven-roasted lamb shanks.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Country Club’s Paree Gardner offers a serving of pastitsio, which is a Greek version of lasagna, but her favorite dish is the roasted lamb shanks.

Maria Kirlangitis, the vice president of the St. Barbara Philoptochos, and Marilyn Blazakis, the president, say they look forward to the fellowship of the event as well as raising money for those in need.

— LIZ RAMOS

Polo Run’s Atheena Van Dijk works with Palm Aire’s Louis Elias and her husband, Erik, in the kitchen. They arrived at the church at 7 a.m. to start working on the food for the festival.

Savanna’s Demitria Guimond dances to the music while manning the lottery board table.

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Del Webb’s Tom and Michelle Bovis reminisce about their travels to Greece while attending the festival. “It’s like visiting a memory seeing all the pictures of places we’ve been,” Michelle Bovis says.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

19

‘Twilight’ shines in virtual reality

T

heater holds a mirror up to life. But life isn’t fair, and life sometimes punches live theater in the face. Sometimes, the show doesn’t always go on. The pandemic was this year’s showstopper.

Theater troupes everywhere faced hard choices. The FSU/ Asolo Acting Conservatory was no exception.

On March 12, even Broadway went dark. A few days later, Asolo Repertory Theatre and Asolo Conservatory did too.

Greg Leaming is the conservatory’s director. He needed a Plan B. The stage was off-limits. Virtual theater was the only alternative. Which play?

Director Benny Ambush suggested a short list of relevant plays. Anna Deveare Smith’s “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” was at the top. Her play focused on the LA riots following the acquittal of the police officers in the Rodney King beating.

The city burned for six days.

Why? What were the underlying issues? To get the answers, the playwright recorded interviews with 300 Angelenos of all descriptions. Smith distilled that to 40 transcripts of real-life individuals and performed each character in her virtuoso, onewoman show.

Leaming instantly saw the possibilities. The second-year student-actors could play the roles. With that change, Smith’s play translated nicely to Zoom.

But format wasn’t the deciding factor. History was.

In 2020, the repetitive litany was ugly. In the spring and long, hot summer, the nightly news was a weird echo of 1992.

Different cops, different Black victims, different riots. But the script was familiar. “‘Twilight’ really speaks to our strange days,” Leaming said.

“I knew we had to do this play. I didn’t know how at first. I just knew we had to.”

Leaming knew the perfect director: Benny Ambush.

The play’s tough-minded topic was in his wheelhouse. But directing an ensemble of actors on stage is one thing; assembling a mosaic of solo performance recordings in the editing room is another. Zoom was a different animal for Ambush. It was for the actors too.

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really was a stage. They rehearsed in scattered meetings on computers in apartments, offices and picnic tables.

Ambush directed them one at a time. He repeated the process for their final performances.

Ptah Garvin and Dayna Playa shared similar experiences.

Zoom was fun, frustrating, challenging — all of the above.

It might be the future of theater.

It might vanish with a vaccine.

Who knows? Who cares?

Zoom is a means to an end.

The play’s the thing. Period.

Both actors care for their characters. Playing Hamlet is one thing. But the people they play are real. Most are still alive.

“I feel incredibly responsible for my characters,” Garvin said. “The words I speak are the actual words they said. It’s their perspective, not mine. I try to honor that.”

Zoom offers great teaching moments. Student-actors (and two alumni) get to stretch their muscles and try out different accents and attitudes.

TO WATCH ‘TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992’ When: Dec. 9-20 Where: Virtual Tickets: $10-$25 Visit: tickets.AsoloRep.org

“If we were doing a different play, this Zoom thing might feel like a weird, grad school experience,” Playa said. “But ‘Twilight’ is so weighted and so timely. I take it very seriously.”

Ambush said there is no big lesson. And that’s the lesson.

“The LA riots was such a huge historical moment,” he said. “It’s hard to wrap your mind around it. What’s the big picture? The truth is there is no big picture. History isn’t made up of big moments. It’s a lot of small moments that were big to the people who went through it.”

As Ambush sees it, the truth is a mosaic of experiences. Con-

Courtesy photo

Asolo Conservatory actors rehearse their production of “Twilight,” which will be presented via Zoom.

veying that truth is his goal. And the playwright’s as well.

“Anna had no preconceptions about the LA riots,” he said.

“She didn’t start with the big story. She got the story directly from the people. She pieced all their little stories together.”

Individuality also informs the director.

“I made a decision on day one,” Ambush said. “Actor and character will always share the same origin. If you’re Black, so is your character. Or Chicano, or Caucasian … and so on. Each actor always stays true to their unique identity. That’s the heartbeat of this play after all.”

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MARTY FUGATE

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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BRADENTON 5106 Lorraine Road Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4477774 $3,800,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6702 Chancery Place Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4478542 $1,790,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16272 Daysailor Trail Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4474674 $1,595,000

SARASOTA 9800 Cameo Farm Lane Kendra Moody 941-993-5211 A4453171 $1,200,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 8318 Grosvenor Court Stephanie Annable 941-376-4100 A4480171 $1,195,000

BRADENTON 1802 97th Street NW Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4462369 $850,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 8309 Grosvenor Court Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4474538 $795,000

SARASOTA 5131 Flicker Field Circle Kelly Quigley 941-356-9954 A4482728 $780,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16911 Loudon Place Laura Naese 941-350-3657 A4472541 $726,255

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13227 Brown Thrasher Pike Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4476491 $715,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12724 Fontana Loop Donald Geikie & Dana Cook Westmark 941-356-8457 A4477920 $695,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12302 Thornhill Court Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4482315 $659,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7126 Callander Cove Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4480121 $595,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14640 Newtonmore Lane Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4471951 $579,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12253 Thornhill Court Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4473572 $579,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4653 Royal Dornoch Cir Sue Cosgrove-Lee & Chris Baylis 941-400-9068 A4468380 $520,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7936 Hampton Court Lori Bollinger & Beth Ann Boyer 941-524-7034 A4476286 $483,500

BRADENTON 221 21st Street W Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4474894 $469,000

TERRA CEIA 1285 Bayshore Drive Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4477334 $415,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6406 Watercrest Way 303 Ryndie Brusco & Melba Jimenez, PA 941-809-6913 A4481554 $415,000

SARASOTA 63 Tall Trees Court Pam Sweeney 941-266-9622 A4475534 $369,500

UNIVERSITY PARK 6411 Berkshire Place Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4481593 $354,900

SARASOTA 2521 Wood Oak Drive Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4481119 $349,500

SARASOTA 6563 Pine Breeze Run Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4483079 $305,000

PALMETTO 3318 10th Lane W Jinny Scherer 941-705-0877 A4477228 $270,000

SARASOTA 5156 Birch Avenue Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4479067 $265,000

BRADENTON 3912 39th Avenue W Debbie Vogler & Cheryl Roberts 941-705-3328 A4483080 $250,000

VENICE 445 W Baffin Drive Kristy Sommers 941-504-4247 A4482045 $219,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7186 Strand Circle 12-101 Dede Curran 941-928-3255 A4475562 $199,000

SARASOTA 10862 Leafwing Drive Brian Wood 941-928-8408 A4471346 $3,250,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16104 Foremast Place Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano 941-587-4359 A4482072 $2,375,000

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

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342301-1

20

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 9-13

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in the Concession topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Pat McCarver, of Sarasota, sold her home at 20906 Parkstone Terrace to Paul and Maureen Hydok, of Park City, Utah, for $3.65 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 6,339 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Carlos Rafael Bracho Diaz and Mary Luz Fernandez De Brancho, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7507 Crosshill Court to Francis and Penny Tarallo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.03 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, fiveand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,090 square feet of living area.

It sold for $721,100 in 2013.

Russel and Catherine Pollard, of Bradenton, sold their home at 16801 Berwick Terrace to Robert and Mary Birthisel, of Bradenton, for $745,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,494 square feet of living area.

Michael and Casey Baynes, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7542 Windy Hill Cove to Lisa Walters and Abraham Mosseri, of Longboat Key, for $710,000.

Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,972 square feet of living area. It sold for $649,000 in 2019.

RICHMOND PARK

Gary Schuster, trustee, sold the home at 8140 Collingwood Court to Wolfgang and Gloria Armbruster, of Bedford, N.Y., for $930,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,755 square feet of living area. It sold for $930,000 in 2015.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE AT LAKEWOOD RANCH

F. Thomas Stanfield sold the home at 7237 Greystone St. to Stephen and Sandra Keenan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $812,500.

Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,921 square feet of living area.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Sean and Nicole Burke, of Ridgefield, Conn., sold their home at 5126 Tidewater Preserve Blvd. to Sean Robert Fleming and Martha Ann Fleming, of Bradenton, for $749,500. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,552 square feet of living area. It sold for $590,400 in 2014.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Sumner Wyall and Sharron Renee Wyall, of Floral City, sold their home at 4520 Barracuda Drive to Phillip and Gina Schiavone, of Bradenton, for $714,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,064 square feet of living area. It sold for $525,000 in 2017.

Gordon and Betty Lou Harper, of Orlando, sold their home at 147 Americas Cup Blvd. to Jerry and Heather Garris, of Bradenton, for

21

REAL ESTATE

Concession home tops sales at $3.65 million

|

$665,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,959 square feet of living area.

Richard Fernandez and Darlene May Fernandez, of Bradenton, sold their home at. 4703 Fourth Ave. Drive E. to Virginia Buckley, of Bradenton, for $370,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,078 square feet of living area. It sold for $349,000 in 2019.

BRADEN OAKS

Manuel Cruz and Mary Jane Cruz, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3905 65th St. E. to Kyle Ellis Tabar and Breanna Keel, of Bradenton, for $680,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,247 square feet of living area. It sold for $274,000 in 1998.

MILL CREEK

Michael and Corrie Killingsworth, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13512 Fifth Ave. NE to Timothy and Cassandra Parker, trustees, of Bradenton, for $645,000. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,273 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2016.

Dorothy Triolo, of Sarasota, sold the home at 807 135th St. E. to Alyse and Scott Young, of Bradenton, for $341,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,605 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2004.

Courtesy of Roger Pettingell

This Concession home at 20906 Parkstone Terrace sold for $3.65 million.

It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 6,339 square feet of living area.

for $408,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $366,000 in 2003.

Ned Wayne Selvog Jr. and Jessica Leigh Selvog, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6840 Wild Lake Terrace to Craig Clayton and Elizabeth Clayton, trustees, of Bradenton, for $374,500. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,287 square feet of living area. It sold for $355,300 in 2016.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Peter and Jennifer Lake, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8903 River Preserve Drive to William and Virginia Davis, of Bradenton, for $531,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,564 square feet of living area. It sold for $366,500 in 2009.

In with the new

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Bayfront Sarasota

MOVE-IN THIS SEASON

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ROSEDALE ADDITION

Lisa Karkashian, of Bradenton, sold her home at 9637 Carnoustie Place to James and Leah Jones, of Bradenton, for $640,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,292 square feet of living area.

SALES GALLERY OPEN

South Sarasota

NEW MODEL OPEN

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MOVE-IN READY

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Longboat Key

Downtown Sarasota

Mark Sarasota | 941.234.4323 $899,000 MarkSarasota.com

EDGEWATER VILLAGE

Guanbin and Qilin Zhong, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6630 Windjammer Place to Daniel and Margherita Gardner, of Bradenton, for $630,000.

Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,132 square feet of living area. It sold for $693,000 in 2014.

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

Bradenton Riverfront

Riverside Point | 941.201.8505 Home sites from $229,900 | Homes from the low $600,000s RiversidePointFlorida.com

TARA

Daniel and Elizabeth Provan sold their home at 5811 Covey Court to Violetta Diamante, of Bradenton, for $565,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,210 square feet of living area.

Barbara Datz, of Sarasota, sold her home at 6902 Chickasaw Bayou Road to Arnold Meyers and Victoria Carr, of Bradenton,

MOVE-IN READY

Edgewater at Hidden Bay | 941.966.3600 From the high $400,000s EdgewaterHB.com

Osprey Bayfront

NEW PRICING, MOVE-IN READY

Northwest Bradenton

Palma Sola Bay Club | 941.216.7436 From the high $300,000s PalmaSolaBayClub.com

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota

Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 From the high $300,000s RisdonOn5th.com

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2020.

342259-1

Licensed Real Estate Broker

22

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

SATURDAY, NOV. 28

BEST BET

HOLIDAY MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

The Small Biz Holiday Market will offer more than a dozen local, small businesses that will sell their products and services at booths. The event is free. Lakewood Ranch’s barre3 will have a free 20-minute class at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY NOV. 26

FLORIDA TURKEY TROT Staggered starts 4-5 p.m. Wednesday and 7-10 a.m. Thursday at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Fit2Run and Nathan Benderson Park host the 5K Florida Turkey Trot.

Runners will select their start times from predetermined time blocks.

All participants receive a race shirt, face covering and finisher’s medal.

Proceeds benefit The Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc., which manages the park. Race fee is $40. The cost is $20 for those 18 and under. A 5K walk and a virtual 5K run are available. For more information and to register, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

SUNDAY, NOV. 29

THE MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch opens and runs every Sunday through April.

Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, diary products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For information, go to MyLWR.com.

Syracuse Grand Rapids Flint

Cleveland Allentown Pittsburgh Harrisburg Des Moines South Bend Washington, D.C. / Fort Wayne Baltimore Columbus Indianapolis Cincinnati Richmond Louisville Belleville Rockford

Nashville

Knoxville

Asheville

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park. The event is hosted by Yoga Shack and sponsored by Brain Health Initiative. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

Sarasota / Bradenton

SATURDAY, DEC., 5 AND SUNDAY, DEC. 6

340178-1

OUTDOOR MARKET AT THE MALL Runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Mall at UTC presents outdoor holiday markets at Parking Lot 8 (west side of the mall near Brio Tuscan Grille). More than 100 local crafters and businesses will

File photo

Sarasota’s Keith Page finished last year’s Turkey Trot with a turkey on his head.

offer unique gifts, such as holiday decor, toys, clothing and handmade gifts. For more information, call 727-674-1464.

Wishing You a Happy

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 5

REC DAY AT THE PARK Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Families are invited to experience Nathan Benderson Park during Rec Day. Participants will have the opportunity to try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoes, fishing and more.

Fees are $10 per person for ages 7-18 and free for their parents and siblings ages 1-6. The fee is $10 for adults without children.

Freshwater fishing licenses are required for any participants age 16 and older. Meet at the base of the finish tower. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 6

BARRE IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free barre workout at Bob Gardner Park.

The event is hosted by Barre3.

Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

THE MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch opens and runs every Sunday through April.

Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, diary products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. For information, go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, DEC., 9 TO SUNDAY, DEC. 20

HOLIDAY LIGHTS SHOW Runs from 6:30-9 p.m. each evening outside the East Grand Entrance of the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Mall at UTC presents a holiday lights show that includes a projection light show outside the East Grand Entrance (near Kona Grill and Urban Outfitters. Shows begin every half hour. All guests are asked to practice social distancing at the free event. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 12

CAR AND TRUCK SHOW Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge 4602 Lena Road, Bradenton. The Lakewood Ranch Elks hosts the second annual Car and Truck Show. Entries are $10 per car or truck. The event itself is free.

Food and drink will be available for sale. Awards will be given for Best in Show and People’s Choice. For more information, call 727-422-3680.

FRIDAY, DEC. 19

FIESTA! FRIDAYS Runs from 5:30-9 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota.

SANCA presents Fiesta Fridays with the Dive Bombers and Derek Lersch Band. Tickets are limited to 1,500 people and may be purchased through the park’s website at NathanBendersonPark.org. Tickets are $10 each for ages 15 and up and free for those 14 and under. Parking is free.

The

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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23

24

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, NOV. 26

Don’t worry, High: 84

I T ’ S S M A R T SLow: T R A64 N D.

Chance of rain: 10%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Nov. 26

6:59a 5:35p

Friday, Nov. 27

7:00a

5:35p

Saturday, Nov. 28

7:01a

5:35p

Only SmartStrand® can handle the 747 lbs of ice cream a family will eat in a carpet’s lifetime. Sunday, Nov. 29 Other carpets use stain protection that has to be reapplied. But only SmartStrand’s stain resistance is built right into the fibers. So it never wears or washes out. Even after multiple cleanings. Even better, It’s on sale now!

To learn more about what makes SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® #1 in customer satisfaction, visit MohawkFlooring.com/SmartStrand.

FRIDAY, NOV. 27

High: 81 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 10%

7:02a

5:35p

Tuesday, Dec. 1

7:03a

5:35p

Wednesday, Dec. 2

7:04a

5:35p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, NOV. 28

Dec. 7 Last

High: 81 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 10%

Gordon Silver captured this red-bellied woodpecker in a palm tree in Del Webb.

7:02a 5:35p

Monday, Nov. 30

Dec. 14 New

Dec. 21 First

Dec. 29 Full

RAINFALL Monday, Nov. 16

0

Tuesday, Nov. 17

0

SUNDAY, NOV. 29

Wednesday, Nov. 18

0

Thursday, Nov. 19

0

High: 80 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 10%

Friday, Nov. 20

0

Saturday, Nov. 21

0

Sunday, Nov. 22

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2020-21 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2021, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 55.28 in.

2020 7.41 in.

2019 46.95 in.

2019 0.19 in.

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

28 Absorb, with “up” 29 Tuscany river 30 Word after “candy” or “liquor” 31 Had fewer snacks, say 33 If you look down your nose at someone, can you ___?

37 Aware of 38 Come to the surface 40 Far from fresh 41 Ultimate ending?

42 Certain bread grain 44 As compared with 49 Luster 53 And so on, briefly

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

wash” 48 Solidifies 49 Plant with bugs?

50 Palette selection 51 Tall shade tree 52 Basic components 54 First-stroke peg 55 Enter a tournament 57 Senate process for ending a debate 58 Gun, as an engine 61 Soybean and canola 62 Scoreless score 63 Muse of love poetry 64 Provides, like a view 68 Rice-A-___ 70 Verizon or T-Mobile 72 Slip in a poker pot 74 Dance move 75 Caspian feeder 76 ”Que ___?”

DOWN 77 Costa-Sol connector 1 Get by somehow 79 Definite article 2 Source 81 ___ long way (last) 3 Like many diaries 82 Piercing tool 4 Start liking 83 Explosive letters 5 Matterhorn, e.g.

86 Deep longing 6 ”The Hardy ___” (mystery 87 Fleshy-leaved plant series) 89 Venus de ___ 7 Digital novels 93 Loafer adornments 8 Rogaine alternative?

95 Overturn 9 Pre-1991 atlas abbr.

96 Premium TV channel, 10 What’s tougher than nails? briefly 11 ___ Aires 98 Bride’s new title, perhaps 12 Wholehearted 100 Trojan War counselor 13 ”Indubitably!”

101 Racer at a kid’s party 14 Flattens, informally 103 Goddess of dawn 15 ”Won’t you let me?”

104 Strong, dark brews 56 Useless bit 85 If your hands are tied, can 16 Append 105 Release, as steam 59 Liver spread you ___?

17 Pacific island republic 106 Make certain 60 If your fingers are 88 Mississippi-to-Alabama 18 Overly expensive 107 Parts of movies crossed, can you ___? direction 24 Sport-___ (all-purpose 108 Sunglasses 64 At a slant 89 Disorderly fight vehicle) 109 Animal that can learn sign 65 Omani’s neighbor 90 Fish hidden backward in 25 Glad language, for short 66 Arabian ruler 89-Across 32 Many AMA members 110 Indulge 67 Stuffs beyond capacity 91 Delivered, as a blow 34 Where It. lies 111 Fill with joy 69 Soda fountain order 92 Common material for a 35 Destroys violently 112 Earnings 71 Pigtail soda bottle 36 Trim with shears 113 Much of 1999?

73 Like the “c” in recess 94 Greek N’s 39 Agenda entry 115 ___ Heel (UNC athlete) 74 Take the place of 97 Meditation sounds 41 Catch in a web, say 119 Order such as a warrant 78 Promote aggressively 99 ”___ came a spider ...”

43 Start to sink?

122 Health resort 80 Snickers filling 102 Stunning “Star Trek” 45 Natural ability 123 Yorkie’s bark 84 HVAC brand whose name weapon 46 Colorado resort 124 ”Golly!” sounds like a vehicle 105 Not so much 47 ”___ all come out in the

MULTITASKING by MaryEllen Uthlaut; Edited by David Steinberg

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Lion’s share 5 Helps in crime 10 Where Ian Usher auctioned his entire life in 2008 14 Reads at a library’s checkout desk?

19 Surface calculation 20 University of New Mexico team 21 Donkey/horse offspring 22 Angry with 23 If you drag your feet, can you ___?

26 Excessive 27 White-plumed heron

941.748.4679 | Venice

*DuPont™ Sorona® contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight. The DuPont Oval logo, DuPont,™ Renewably sourced™ and Sorona® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates and are licensed to Mohawk.

109 If your teeth are set on edge, can you ___?

114 Disagreeable smell 116 Hawaiian dances 117 What sunscreen covers 118 Line of seats 120 Discombobulated 121 Likeness 122 If you’re hopping mad, can you ___?

125 Roadside stopover 126 Read (over) attentively 127 Nickname that anagrams to “irate” 128 ”O’er the land of the ___ ...”

129 Use an iron on 130 Cartooning and crossword construction 131 Kindergarten adhesive 132 Own (up)

CELEBRITY CIPHER

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“MAJZYZVFN VPWSKGU ZBN EVWWPNUU SE WYEN ... YZ KJP ZVAP J XNJW YPZS J ENJUZ, J BSVUN YPZS J BSXN, J UZAJPMNA YPZS J EAYNPF.” – XNWSFI DNJZZYN “VWZ DJ FW LPBZWODV ZM ZRW UWMUVW ARM EBCW DJ RBUUN ...

ZRW SRBPEGTL LBPIWTWPJ ARM EBCW MDP JMDVJ FVMJJME.”

– EBPSWV UPMDJZ Puzzle Two Clue: C equals K

Sarasota

SAVE ON EVERY SPECIES, COLOR AND STYLE!

Puzzle One Clue: G equals K

HARDWOOD

342479-1

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

11-26-20

CLASSIFIEDS

Thursday, November 26, 2020

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in The East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Items Under $200 For Sale ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Condos/Apts. For Rent

1BR/1BA 1350 Main St, in heart of Downtown Sarasota. Beautiful 5th floor, turn key, furnished corner unit condo in upscale building with stunning views of bay and city. Amenities include: concierge, reserved in-building parking, pool, fitness center, and more. Available for seasonal rental for $4800/mo or annual $2650/mo. Includes all except utilities. Call George: 516-993-3324.

Homes For Sale

FRIDGE AND Freezer Chest. 35” long, 33” high, and 22” wide. Excellent condition, clean. $175.

914-714-9726.

Place Your Ad Online 24/7 classifieds.yourobserver.com

LARGE DESK- Cream color, real wood, sturdy, beautiful. $40. 941-993-4064.

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Merchandise Wanted

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

Storage

STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Help Wanted

CDL-A DRIVERS: It’s LOCAL SUGAR CANE Season! $2000 Sign-On Bonus! Make Big $$$ + Bonuses & Get Home Nightly. $1000 Referral Bonus. Great Health Benefits. 6 mos. Exp. in last 3 yrs. Req. Call Oakley Today! 855-942-2798.

LAUREL OAK C.C.- Openings in F&B, Landscape, & Golf Course Maint. Competitive wages941-378-3608 or email info@laureloak.com

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

This week’s Sudoku answers

TINA'S CLEANING Services- great references, free estimates. (203) 501-9245.

ADVERTISE YOUR

ASHORE REALTY LLC

GARAGE SALE As low as $17.50 for 1 week!

Introducing our team of agents:

Get a discount when you run your ad in more than one Observer.

Rosemarie Lunardelli-Broker/Owner Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com 732-489-3676

Hauling

James “Jim” Andacht- Realtor Associate Jim@ashorerealtyllc.com 941-840-4138 OFFICE NOW OPEN AT: 7915 US 301 N STE 201 Ellenton, FL Ashorerealtyllc.com 941-417-7777 Call today for a free market analysis.

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars. 941-270-4400.

Cleaning

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life ...

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

Melody Beattie Puzzle Two Solution: “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy ... the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

– Marcel Proust

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady. Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential. Commercial.

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

CANOE: 2 person, includes paddles, outrigger, trolling motor, battery, priced to sell $149.

941-746-8663.

FISHING REEL-ABU Garcia 7000 with line.

Mint condition, $50. Trailer Dolly- move your boat with ease. No vehicle needed- $150.

941-747-2534.

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services. Experienced, Dependable and ready to begin! Residential.

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

BIKES: 20” GIRLS Huffy 7 speed $40. 26” Diamondback ladies bike 21 speed: $40. 24” Mongoose 18 speed $40. 24” Girls Huffy Cranberry beach cruiser $50. Can deliver. 941-350-9431.

CRAFTSMAN TOOL Cabinet with tools $125.

Magic Bullet 10 piece set used once $45.

941-747-7183.

Auto Transport

LV9431

INFO & RATES: 941-955-4888 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: classified@yourobserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Beach Front Home: 4BED-5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000 University Pool/Spa 4BED-3BATH $425,000

CALL 941-955-4888

NO CONTACT Junk Removal Just point for junk to disappear.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? (800) 465-5865 or 1800gotjunk.com

©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

Painting/Wallpapering

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

Personal Services

55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED2BATH $424,000 2.5 Acres: 4BED/3BATH, 3CAR GAR. Luxury kitchen, barn, horses. $645,000

2020

Pools

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift. $530,000.

Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo $399,000 Sarasota: Built in 2010 4BED-2.5BATH Lakeview Lanai $335,000 Phillipi Gardens: $209,000

INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677

FAMILY SECURITY DRIVER 941-735-4732 Ask for Eddie.

Many years experience with rock stars, wild teens, children, elderly, and foreign families.

Feel safe, Be safe 24/7 Licensed and Legal.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES Transportation to doctors, shopping, meal preparation, organization, painting, cleaning.

CNA trained. Call Ms. Michael: 941-685-1613.

POOL SERVICE– SPECIAL DEAL FOR OBSERVER READERS WITH THIS AD. If you want personal weekly pool service from an experienced owner operator, call me. I have been servicing pools for 12 years in your area with many references. I am reliable, CPO Certified, completely trustworthy, and will offer you the best rate available locally. Call me- 941 705 0400– Paul at Blissful Pools.

SELL IT! 941-955-4888 or classifieds.yourobserver.com

Explore the

CLASSIFIEDS for great deals.

Visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

26

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

|

DOORS

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

This Doctor is Among

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner / Operator Insured

Sliding Glass Door Repair

345999

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a

FREE CONSULTATION

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

Pegatronics.com 345480

“Medical Breakthrough Technology for bulging, herniated and degenerative disc ...

No Pain, No Drugs, No Injections, No Surgery” Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

COMPUTER

Hardware Repair Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

THE BEST

345090

Dustin Yoder

HEALTH

345774

ALUMINUM

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

R BUSINESS GROW YOUvice Directory

941-735-3362

HOME SERVICES

with Ser

e, 955-4888 serve your spac Call today to re

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

LV10306

CONSTRUCTION

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle?

• Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

Take a simple test to see if your vent is clogged. Unhook your dryer vent & compare drying time.

HANDYMAN

GRAB BARS

235

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$

Classified Ads Bring Results • 941-955-4888

DOORS

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

• Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

345896

www.ezslider.com

INCLUDES 2 MOEN STAINLESS STEEL ANTI SLIP CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16” & 24”)

345777

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

941.966.0333

DrGrabBars.com LIFETIME GUARANTEE Licensed • Bonded • Insured COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

THE GRAB BAR GUY GLENN KROECKER

954-1878

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

Call us today!

941.628.8579

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Classified Ads Bring Results • 941-955-4888

READY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Starting at only

85

$

Reach 126,000 readers each week with your ad in the Service Directory!

/mo.

Three sizes to choose from

XNLV19005

345775

PUBLISHES: Every Thursday | DEADLINE: Friday the week prior Call 941-955-4888 or email klogan@yourobserver.com

345776

DOORS

Commercial

345507

bschule88@gmail.com

346001

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

345878

Painting • Roof Leaks Window Cleaning • Pressure Washing cell: 814.218.1782 • FREE Estimates

Visit our showroom

941-705-5468

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

Ron Chapman Handyman

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades

(941) 650-7758

Residential

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

27

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

LAWN CARE

PERSONAL SERVICES

ROOFING

With Grace

Bisson Roofing Inc.

Professional Helper

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

Jami Heredia Please Call

5002 LENA RD, UNIT 107, BRADENTON, 34211 WWW.SMALLENGINEREPAIRS.US

Located off of SR 70 E. 1 mile North on Verna Bethany Rd. 7804 Barr Road Myakka City, FL 34251

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com

Local And Long Distance Movers Residential Moves Commercial Moves Pack, Crate & Wrap

Building & Roofing Contractor

Call for appointment

Cindy Wells 941-928-2168

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

POWER WASHING

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 345215

346003

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

www.bissonroofing.com

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Country Canine Makeovers Dog grooMing

...will move anything from a couch to a household • • • •

Owner Supervises Every Job

PET SERVICES

David McCarthy Moving 941-704-4278

941-545-5688

WithGraceFL@gmail.com

MOVERS

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

345779

941-739-5102

345778

346002

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

941 - 748 - 7400

345101

Personal Assistant • Errands • Help with Shopping Doctor Visits • Meals • Light Housekeeping • Housesitting and Holiday Shopping etc. Affordable rates

SALES & REPAIRS - MOWERS, GENERATORS, TRIMMERS, PRESSURE WASHERS, CHAIN SAWS, BLOWERS, ENGINES

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

SCREENING

345780

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

345961

For

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

• Interior Painting • Drywall Texture • Drywall/Popcorn Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Exterior Painting • Pressure Cleaning

941-737-4483

RESCREENING & REPAIRS

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

FREE ESTIMATES - Call Joel, Owner 30 Years Exp. Cell 619-405-7650 Home/Office 941-758-4840

345481

Homes - Driveways - Sidewalks - Tile & Shingle Roofs - Pool Cages & Decks

Team Up With Classifieds • 941-955-4888

Re-Screen “No Job Too Small”

941-270-1561

GROW

STANDARD WINDOWS

ws

120

$

SPECIAL 00

Eldridge

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

Lic./Ins.

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880 345102

AvitarpaintingLLC@gmail.com

www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

25

UP TO

10% SAVINGS With this ad

345098

BOB DAVIS: 754-366-9768

Houses, Pool Cage & Decks, Fences, Driveways & Walks Irrigation, Fertilizer, Rust & Battery Stain Removal

346000

SPECIALIZING IN:

Warranties

indow & Pressure Clea et W(941) 345-5264 nin s n g known as Sunrise Wind Su y l r e o m

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

345904

PAINTING

Manufacture and workmanship

Res./Com.

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

941-909-2268 | www.lakewoodranchmovers.com

WINDOWS

Doors and more!

345781

RESIDENTIAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES VALUABLE MOVES INTERNATIONAL MOVES

Classified Ads Bring Results • 941-955-4888

YOUR BUSINESS

For more information,

call 941-955-4888 or visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

28

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

941.587.4359 | 941.229.4000

#1 Team at Michael Saunders & Company in 2019

VIDEO TOUR AVAILABLE

8499 LINDRICK LN THE CONCESSION 6BR | 12BA | 17,756 SQFT | $10,850,000

We count our blessings this Thanksgiving, and every day, to have such wonderful and supportive clients, family and friends.

We’re grateful and thankful to have you in our lives!

May your holiday be safe and joyous!

Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano

VIDEO & 3D TOURS AVAILABLE

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

16113 CLEARLAKE AVE LAKE CLUB 3BR | 3.5BA | 4,515 SQFT | $2,100,000

19432 GANTON AVE THE CONCESSION 4BR | 3/2BA | 4,501 SQFT | $1,575,000

VIDEO & 3D TOURS AVAILABLE

16108 BAYCROSS DR LAKE CLUB 5BR | 4/2BA | 5,605 SQFT | $2,495,000

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

15815 CLEARLAKE AVE LAKE CLUB 3BR | 3.5BA | 3,347 SQFT | $1,075,000

NEW LISTING

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

13311 MATANZAS PL LWR COUNTRY CLUB 3BR | 3.5BA | 3,430 SQFT | $1,025,000

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

13021 SORRENTO WAY ESPLANADE 3BR | 3.5BA | 2,862 SQFT | $920,000

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

7304 SAINT GEORGES WAY UNIVERSITY PARK CC 2BR | 2.5BA | 2,243 SQFT | $512,000

Licensed Real Estate Professionals

346053-1

StacyHaas@michaelsaunders.com GloriaBracciano@michaelsaunders.com StacyHaas.com | GloriaBracciano.com

#1 TEAM | #1 BROKER

8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

www.yourobserver.com/detwilers-weekly-flyer

344216-1

Sarasota’s Accredited Dentists with Over 30 Years of Expertise

Jill Morris, DMD

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

Our team at World Class Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics can treat patients with a multitude of concerns at the Sarasota facility, which maintains quality control and streamlined treatments. With a focus on individualized patient care and connection, Dr. Jill Morris, Dr. Burr Bakke, Dr. Cameron Johnson, and their on-site dental laboratory team offer implant surgery, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, biological dentistry, and more. Serving Sarasota since 1987, our team has over 60 years of combined talent and expertise. Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation or visit our website at SarasotaDentist.com.

Call (941) 999-3205 or Visit www.SarasotaDentist.com Stay Connected With Us

#WorldClassDentistry | 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231 344740-1

Est. 1987

Real Patients. Real Results.

Dental Implants, Same Day & ALL-ON-4®

Before

After

Before

After

After Cosmetic, Veneers & Laser Periodontics

Before

After

Before

After

On-Site Laboratory with Master Technicians to Customize and Control Results

Advanced Care and Dental Technology at One Location Cosmetic Dentistry

Holistic Dentistry

• Bruxism Treatment • Smile Makeovers with Veneers • Conservative “No-Prep” Veneers • Nonsurgical Facelifts w/Neuromuscular Bite Correction

• Orthotropic and Airway Orthodontics for Adults • Orthotropic and Airway Orthodontics for Children • Safe Mercury Removal • Laser Periodontal Treatment with Ozone

Implant Surgery & Restoration

Facial Esthetics

• AII-On-4 • Bone Grafts/Sinus Lifts • Digitally Guided Surgery with On-Site CAT Scan • PRP Platelet-Rich Plasma • Sedation

• PDO Thread Lifts • Erbium and Nd: YAG Laser Treatments • Botox • Fillers

Call (941) 999-3205 or Visit www.SarasotaDentist.com

Smooth as a Candy Cane 16 Years in LWR

XNLV19276

Laser Hair Removal 941.351.5700